3.2. ERMU MINUTES 05-08-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission April 10, 2012 4.1 Update on Power Supply Options / Resource Plannin¢ In September 2008, Connexus Energy terminated the 10 -year rolling "all requirements" power contract with Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU). ERMU Commission authorized entering into "Phase 1" of a resource planning study in April of 2010, with a coalition which includes Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA) as a participant. In September 2010, ERMU Commission authorized entering into "Phase 2" of a resource planning study which includes the release of a Request For Proposal (RFP). The RFP was issued on November 15, 2010. In May 2011, the ERMU Commission authorized entering into "Phase 2b" of the resource planning study which will include risk assessment of the proposals. In addition to working with the Resource Planning Coalition, staff continues to explore other power supply options. Troy Adams said over the last couple of months ERMU has talked about different options available for our wholesale power contract. Troy Adams introduced the representatives from Southern Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) to give an overview of their agency. Discussion followed. 4.2 Review and Consider Holiday L.E.D. Lightina Award Proamm At the March 20, 2012, ERMU Commission meeting, staff was directed to research the holiday lighting contest that Princeton Public Utilities sponsors. Tom Sagstetter reviewed the costs associated with a lighting contest. The one requirement of Princeton was that they must be an electric customer. John Dietz agreed that participants should be an ERMU electric customer and asked what the other commissioners thought. More discussion followed. Al Nadeau and Daryl Thompson thought it was worth a try. John Dietz said he would like to try it on a one year basis. AI Nadeau moved to try for one year, the program for Holiday Lighting. Daryl Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 4.3 Update on Water Conservation Program At the March 20, 2012, ERMU Commission meeting, staff was directed to bring back the commercial irrigation water conservation program marketing information and discuss implementation of the new pilot program. There has been discussion in the past months on laws that pertain to water conservation programs for Public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people. In April 2012, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law, water conservation measures that are consistent with the commercial irrigation water conservation pilot program. The new law states that, "Public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people must encourage water conservation by employing water use demand reduction measures..." The Commercial Irrigation Water Conservation Program would meet or exceed the requirements of the law.